Device for the rinsing of body cavities

ABSTRACT

A device for rinsing the bucal cavity which comprises a mouthpiece adapted to be fitted into the mouth and provided with discharge ports trained upon the teeth and gums of the user, a connection fitting adapted to be placed upon a faucet spigot, a line connecting the mouthpiece with this fitting, and a control valve along the line for selectively connecting the mouthpiece via a venturi to a dispenser for a mouth-treating liquid, to a discharge port opening into the wash basin, and to the mouthpiece.

United States Patent 1 June 13, 1972 Kleiner [54] DEVICE FOR THE RINSINGOF BODY CAVITIES [72] inventor: Willy Klelner, Fischmarktplatz 9, 8640Rapperswil. Switzerland [22] Filed: Merci: 9, 1970 [2!] Appl. No.:17,458

[30] Foreign Application Priority Date March ll, 1969 Switzerland..383i/69 March 2, 1970 Switzerland ..2983/70 [52] U.S.Cl. ..l28/66,l28/229 51 Int. Cl. ......................A6ui9/00 [58] neidolSesrch.......l28/66,62A,224.229

[56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,692,047 11/1928 Moorel2l229 2,849,256 8/1958 Kowal ..l28/229 X 1,646,942 10/ i 927 Tuono....3 ,499.440 3/1970 Gibbs Primary Examiner-4... W. Trapp Attorney-Karl F.Ross [57] ABSTRACT PATENTEnJuu 13 I972 SHEET 2 OF 9 Illl PAIENTEnJuu 1 3m2 SHEET 0F 9 PATENTEBJUN 1a 1912 SHEEI 6 OF 9 PATENTEDJUH 13 m23,669,101

sum 9 OF 9 DEVICE FOR THE RINSING OF BODY CAVITIES Known mouth-washingsystems for connection to a controllable warm-water producer with ameans for the addition of medicaments can only be reasonably afforded bydentists and dental institutes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a device for therinsing of body cavities, as for daily mouth care and for the treatmentof inflammatory mouth diseases and also for gum massage and theprevention of dental caries, in particular for household use, whichdevice can be manufactured at low cost and therefore bought by thegeneral public. Its simple construction and operation permit the user tointensify mouth care for the prevention of dental caries and diseases ofthe gums and the oral cavity. It permits water jet massage with andwithout the addition of medicaments.

The device of the invention comprises a mixing tube which can beremovably connected to a-water faucet and which is associated with acontainer for holding a fluid and whose bottom portion is provided witha change-over means permitting the user at will to direct the water ormixture flow to the mouthpiece or to an outlet leading directly into thewashing basin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Four embodiments of the present invention areillustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which FIG.1 is a side view of a first embodiment designed as a mouth rinser;

FIG. 2 shows the associated mixing unit; partly in section, with thewater flow directed into the washing basin;

FIG. 3 shows the mixing unit in section, with the water flow directedinto the mouthpiece;

FIG. 4 is a view of the removable mouthpiece on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the mouthpiece along line V-V in FIG. 4;

F IG. 6 is a general vjgw of a second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section through the container containing thechange-over mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section ofthe device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section along line lX-IX in FIG. 7;

FIG. I0 shows a third embodiment of the change-over means, in verticalsection, wherein the change-over means, designed as a plunger valve, isin the operative position;

FIG. II shows the plunger valve of FIG. 10 in the inoperative positionof the device;

FIG. 12 shows the container, containing the change-over means, ofafourth embodiment, viewed in the direction of the arrow XII appearing inFIG. 13;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section along line XIII-XIII in FIG. I4; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-section along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 13.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The mouth rinser shown in FIGS. I to 5 comprises amixing unit I with a central mixing tube 2 (FIGS. 2 and 3) whoseconnection stub 3 ensures quick connection to a coupling piece 5 fittedto the water faucet 4, in a manner ensuring that the mixing unit I isalways held in the position required. The mixing tube 2 extends axiallythrough a cylindrical container 6 designed to hold a fluid, such as aliquid medicament or a mouth wash, the arrangement being such that nitmixing tube- 2 extends through the conical cover 7 and the flat cover 8of the container 6 in central bearing apertures 9 and I0 respectively.The mixing tube 2 is designed as a Venturi tube into whose constrictedportion ll (FIG. 3) the mixing nozzle I2 of the mixture regulator 13leads. The latter is provided with a setting means 14 and a riser l5dipping into the fluid in the container 6. The fluid in the container 6is drawn by the suction of the Venturi tube 11, 12 through the riser 15into the water flow of the mixing tube 2, the arrangement being suchthat the mixing ratio can be regulated by the setting means 14. Th!latter can be set in about four different positions: in the firstposition, it permits the flow of water without any addition ofmedicament; in the other three positions, it permits the flow of waterwith gradually increased addition of medicament. Reference I6 indicatesthe filling stub of the fluid container, permitting the latter to berefilled with fluid on removal of the cap 17. The bottom end of themixing tube 2 is. directly over the bottom 8 of the said container,joined by a screw thread to the portion 18' of a connexion stub 18. Thebore I9 of the latter communicates with a transverse bore 20 in which avalve serving as change-over means is received and secured againstturning by guide surfaces 22 which are ground on the ends of the saidvalve and rest loosely against the flat bottom 8. The valve 21 has twovertical transverse bores 23,24 which can be alternatively brought intoa position coaxial with the bore I9 by moving the valve 21, as required.One of the two outer ends of the valve 21 carries an outlet stub whichis secured to a vertical transverse bore 25 and through which the waterflowing through the mixing tube 2 can flow off through the orifices24,25 and the stub 26 into the wash basin when the valve 21 is broughtinto the position shown in FIG. 2. When the valve 21 is brought into theposition shown in FIG. 3, the transverse bore 23 is in a positioncoaxial with the mixing tube 2, so that the water flows through theconnection stub 18. The coupling piece 29 of a flexible metal tube 30 isconnected by a cap nut 28 and a ring seal 27 to the bottom end of theconnection stub I8, provided with an external thread. The valve 21 isprovided with three ring seals 31 ensuring hermetic sealing of the valvein the transverse bore 20 of the connection stub 18. As FIG. 1 shows,the free end of the flexible metal tube- 30 is provided with aconnection piece 32 which is removably coupled to sleeve piece 33 of themouthpiece 34 by a bayonet catch 35 (FIG. 4), ensuring quick change ofmouthpiece. The mouthpiece 34 presents a flat tubular bow 36 which isbent in horseshoe fashion and shaped after the human jaw and which isprovided inside with an upper and a lower noflle row 37 and 38.Connected to the tubular bow 36 on the outside of the arc is the sleevepiece 33, and connected to it on the inside of the arc is a flat hollowtongue 39 designed for insertion into the mouth cavity. The hollowtongue 39 is also provided with an upper and a lower row of nozzles 37'and 38' along each of its two longitudinal edges.

When the mouthpiece 34 is applied, the tubular bow 36 rests with aclearance against the outside of the upper and lower teeth or jawsinside the upper and lower lips. The flat hollow tongue 39 reaches intothe mouth cavity through the gap formed between the upper and the lowerteeth.

For rinsing teeth arid for massaging gums with water only, the valve 2]must be brought into the position shown in FIG. 3. Moving the valve 21into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 puts the device out ofoperation. In this case, the water flows through the outlet 26 directinto the washing basin. For mouth care and the treatment of inflammatorymouth diseases. it is possible to add a mouth wash or a liquidmedicament. which for this purpose is filled through the filling stub 16into the container 6. By the setting means l4, it is possible toregulate the supply of fluid to the Venturi tube. Through the latter,the fluid is added to the water in the particular mixing ratioestablished.

When not in use, the device can easily be detached from the faucet 4.

The mouthpiece 34 is designed to be available in three or four sizes, sothat every person using the device can choose and use a suitablemouthpiece. This is greatly facilitated by the bayonet catch ensuringeasy changing. So each member of the family can use a separatemouthpiece.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, reference numeral 20 indicatesthe mixing tube line removably joinable to a water faucet. The said lineextends in vertical direction through a spherical container 60transversely divided into two sections for holding a fluid, such as amouth wash or a liquid medicament. The filling aperture of the saidcontainer can be closed by a plug l6a provided with a grip 17a. Fittedinto a transverse bore 204 of an insert 410 communicating with themixing tube line 20 is a plunger valve 21a which serves as a change-overmeans and which is axially slidable between two limit positions. Thevalve, which is provided at its outer end with a push member 42a, hastwo plungers 43a and 44a which enclose a space 450 between them. Thebottom portion of the mixing tube line is designed as a stub 46a, whichis removably inserted into the bottom portion of the container and inwhose passage is arranged a mixing nozzle 11a which acts in the mannerof a Venturi tube and which communicates through a narrow dosing bore12a and a ring channel 47a with the inside of the container 60, througha spring-loaded non-return valve 48a. Reference 26a indicates theoutlet, reference 30a the flexible tube line leading to the mouthpiece34a. Tn this embodiment again, the mouthpiece 34a presents a flattubular bow 36a bent in horseshoe fashion and shaped after the human jawand provided inside with a row of nozzles 37a. Connected to the tubularbow 36a on the inside of the arc is a flat hollow tongue 39a designedfor insertion into the mouth cavity. This hollow tongue again isprovided with an upper and a lower row of nozzles 38a along each of itslongitudinal edges.

In FIG. 7, the plunger valve 210 is moved against the action of acompression spring 490 into the operative position in which the plunger44a rests against a ring seal 50a fitted into the insert 41a andconnects the mixing tube line 20 through the mixing nozzle lla to theline 30a leading to the mouthpiece 34a. When the water jet passesthrough the mixing nozzle 11a, it produces in the latter a negativepressure which opens the non-return valve 48a of the line leading to thecontainer 6a. so that liquid is drawn from the container 6a and mixed inthe nozzle 110 with the water flowing through.

As soon as the push member 420 is released, the valve 21a, actuated bythe compression spring 49a in FIG. 7, moves to the left until theplunger 44a comes to rest against the ring seal la of the containerinsert 41a. With the valve in this position, the passage from the mixingtube line 24 to the mixing nozzle 11a is closed, while the passage tothe outlet 26a is open.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. and 11, reference 2b indicates themixing tube line, 21b the plunger valve, 301: the flexible line leadingto the mouthpiece, 26b the outlet and 41b the container insert with thebore b guiding the valve. Reference 49b indicates the compression springholding the valve in the operative position.

Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the embodiment shown inFIGS. 10 and 1] has no stub 46a, and the valve is provided not with twoplungers, but with three, viz. 43b, 44b, 52b. The middle plunger 52b hastwo intersecting bores 53!: and 54b, of which one, 53b, interconnectsthe spaces 55b and 56!: between the two outer plungers and the middleone, while the other bore 54b. located between two plunger ring seals57b, communicates, in the operative position shown in FlG..l0, with aport leading to the fluid container 612.

In the position shown in FIG. 10, the bore 53b in the middle plunger 52bacts as a Venturi tube, so that fluid is drawn from the container 6bthrough the bore 54b and added to the water flowing through. When thevalve 21b is released, the spring 49b pushes it into the position shownin FIG. 11, in which the plunger 43b rests against the screw 58b servingas a stop, and the mixing tube line 2!: is directly connected to theoutlet 26b. In the inoperative position of the device shown in FIG. 11,the port leading into the container and passing at 5% into the bore 20bis covered by the ring seals of the plunger 44b, so that no fluid canflow out of the container 6b.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. I2 to 14, reference 6c indicates thefluid container with the plug 160 serving to close the filling aperture,with the mixing tube line 1c. The latter communicates at its lower endwith the transverse bore 20c, in which the valve 21c is axially slidablebetween two limits set by the stop screw 58c. Reference 46c indicatesthe stub which is screw-joined to the container 6c and which has a neckllc serving as a Venturi tube; the said neck communicates through anarrow dosing bore l2c, a ring channel, 470 and a bottom port 60c withthe fluid container 6c. The valve 2!: is provided at each end with apush surface 420 and presents two plungers 43c and 44c which are heldapart at a specific distance by the valve portion 61c narrowed in itsdiameter. Reference 26c indicates the outlet.

FIG. 14 shows the valve in the operative position of the device, inwhich the mixing tube line 20 communicates through the free plungerspace 45c with the stub 46c, so that, when the water faucet is opened,water flows through the mixing nozzle 1 1c, producing a suction whichdraws fluid from the container 6c.

The water fluid mixture produced in the nozzle llc then flows throughthe flexible line (not shown) to the mouthpiece. When the valve 21c ismoved into the other limit position, i.e. to the right in FIG. N, theconnexion between mixing tube line 2c and stub 46c is interrupted whileconnexion is made between mixing tube line 20 and outlet 26c, so thatthe water flowing through the mixing tube line and the plunger space 45ccan flow through the outlet 26c directly into the washing basin. Asthere is no negative pressure in the mixing nozzle llc when the valve isin that position, no fluid can flow out, despite the direct connexionbetween the container 6c and the mixing nozzle, because the cap 16censures hermetic sealing and repeated use of the device reduces theliquid level in the container 6c, resulting in a vacuum which retainsthe fluid in the container. However, once a certain negative pressurearises in the mixing nozzle llc which is greater than the vacuum in thecontainer, fluid flows out through the dosing aperture 120. Ifnecessary, though, it is possible in this embodiment to fit a non-returnvalve into the line between mixing nozzle and fluid container, as shownin FIG. 4.

The use of the above-described device is not confined to mouth care; thedevice may conveniently also be used for intimate hygiene. For this,i.e. for vaginorectal use, the mouthpiece is given the size and shape ofthe mouthpiece tube of an irrigator.

What I claim is:

l. A device for rinsing the bucal cavity, comprising:

a fitting removably connectable to the spigot of a water faucet of awash basin;

a control structure connected to and in fluid communication with saidfitting, said control structure including:

a receptacle for a mouth-treating liquid and provided with a closablerefilling opening,

means forming a main flow passage along said receptacle for conductingwater from said fitting therealong,

a venturi dispenser along said passage having an intake communicatingwith said receptacle for drawing a treatment liquid therefrom into saidpassage,

an outlet opening into said wash basin,

a water-feed line extending from said structure, and

valve means between said line, said passage and said receptacle andformed with a manually operable valve member extending from saidstructure for selectively connecting said passage with said outlet,connecting said passage with said line and admitting treatment liquidfrom said receptacle into said line through said venturi; and

a mouthpiece connected to said line and provided with a plurality ofdischarge ports trained on the teeth and gums of a user upon hisinsertion of the mouthpiece into his mouth.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes avalve housing provided with a bore extending transversely to said lineand said passage, and a pair of spaced-apart ports opening transverselyto said bore and spaced apart along said member and shiftable intoextreme positions wherein one of said bores of said valve membercommunicates between said passage and said line and wherein the other ofsaid bores communicates between said passage and said outletrespectively.

3. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said mouthpiece is a hollow bowcommunicating with said line and provided with a central tongueprojecting forwardly from said bow in the 5. The device defined in claim4 wherein said valve member forms a spool-type valve with threeplungers, further comprising seal means surrounding each of saidplungers.

6. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is formedunilaterally with a valve body receiving said valve means.

7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein said receptacle has a generallyspherical configuration.

1. A device for rinsing the bucal cavity, comprising: a fitting removably connectable to the spigot of a water faucet of a wash basin; a control structure connected to and in fluid communication with said fitting, said control structure including: a receptacle for a mouth-treating liquid and provided with a closable refilling opening, means forming a main flow passage along said receptacle for conducting water from said fitting therealong, a venturi dispenser along said passage having an intake communicating with said receptacle for drawing a treatment liquid therefrom into said passage, an outlet opening into said wash basin, a water-feed line extending from said structure, and valve means between said line, said passage and said receptacle and formed with a manually operable valve member extending from said structure for selectively connecting said passage with said outlet, connecting said passage with said line and admitting treatment liquid from said receptacle into said line through said venturi; and a mouthpiece connected to said line and provided with a plurality of discharge ports trained on the teeth and gums of a user upon his insertion of the mouthpiece into his mouth.
 2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a valve housing provided with a bore extending transversely to said line and said passage, and a pair of spaced-apart ports opening transversely to said bore and spaced apart along said member and shiftable into extreme positions wherein one of said bores of said valve member communicates between said passage and said line and wherein the other of said bores communicates between said passage and said outlet respectively.
 3. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said mouthpiece is a hollow bow communicating with said line and provided with a central tongue projecting forwardly from said bow in the direction of concavity thereof, said tongue and the concave portions of said bow being provided with said ports, the ports of said bow being trained generally inwardly and the ports of said tongue being trained generally outwardly.
 4. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a valve bore communicating with said passage, said line and said outlet, said valve member being formed as a plunger reciprocable in said bore, and spring means in said bore biasing said plunger into a position in which said passage is connected with said outlet.
 5. The device defined in claim 4 wherein said valve member forms a spool-type valve with three plungers, further comprising seal means surrounding each of said plungers.
 6. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said receptacle is formed unilaterally with a valve body receiving said valve means.
 7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein said receptacle has a generally spherical configuration. 